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Hotline Tip: Tying Up Loose Ends

If a document is missing notarial certificate wording, or if the document contains certificate wording that is not allowed in your state, you should attach and use a loose certificate instead.

The Notary should attach the loose certificate by stapling it to the accompanying document. To guard against any unauthorized use of the certificate, the Notary should also write “see attached certificate” near any unused preprinted notarial language on the document. This will further safeguard and alert the recorder or receiving agency to look for an attached certificate.